I may even rest my words for a week or two. But I will still be sharing all the good things on Instagram. I bet you will too. How can we help it when days are filled with sunny skies, beach views, gorgeous food and family?

Here are some easily accessible items that any serious Instagram user wants to have on hand during this time of year. Save them now. Take advantage of all the photo opps and never be stuck for an “instant” photo of your fabulous life. Read more…

My eldest will be on school holidays this time next week. We will packing and getting ready for a three day break by the beach. Just the little boys and I as my husband still needs to work. But before the relaxing can begin there will be a mad flurry of activity. Excursions, christmas cards, contraband candy canes and end-of-school get togethers. Read more…

I have very nearly finished my Christmas shopping. I think I’m on track to have everything wrapped before school is out (yay me!) But there are a few presents that are still eluding me. It’s the people that are always hard to buy for. I reckon there’s a few of them on everyone’s Christmas list. Those that have all they need, buy what they want immediately and/or don’t have many hobbies or interests.

My son is desperate for a Lego advent calendar. At $39, I can’t do it. But by the time I waver I’m sure it will be sold out.

There seems to be a trend towards increasingly expensive advent calendars. For both kids and adults. If you’d been quick enough, you could have bought a $499 Diptyque advent calendar. This trend has caused me to reflect on the whole advent calendar tradition. I love the idea of a countdown to Christmas. I also think there are plenty of ways to do it, without breaking the bank or losing a sense of wonder.

Advent calendars date back to the mid 1900s with one of the first ideas being the advent wreath. Lighting a candle each evening as Christmas approaches. I still think that’s a beautiful idea.

It’s getting busy isn’t it? I know my calendar is filling up quickly. And while parties and get-togethers are lots of fun, I want to make sure we have room for all the traditions that my family and I have come to love over the Christmas period.

Here’s a list of what we do over the festive period — it might help you plan your own traditions and decide when to do them. I also have a helpful printable to manage ALL the things at this time of year. Read more…